Illinois Firefighter Suspended After Making Sexual Harassment Complaint

Posted by: Curt Varone August 31, 2015 1 Comment

An Illinois firefighter who was already suing her fire department for sexual harassment was suspended last week after she filed additional harassment allegations.

Country Club Hills firefighter Dena Lewis-Bystrzycki was suspended after she spoke with reporters about updated pleadings filed in her ongoing sexual harassment suit against the city. Those pleadings accused supervisors of allowing subordinated to watch porn at the fire station.

The Chicago tribune quoted Lewis-Bystrzycki’s attorney, Dana Kurtz, as saying the suspension is “simply more retaliation against her. It sends a clear message to everyone ‘do not complain or this is what will happen to you.’”

Here is a link to a video on the story that would not embed: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/cbs_chicag-woman-firefighter-files-s-20150827-premiumvideo.html

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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